Travis Edmonson of Bud & Travis
Malagueña Salerosa
FEELINGS BEHIND
THE SONG
Travis Edmonson has frequently stated that, not only is Malagueña Salerosa his favorite song, but the one he liked singing most. Unquestionably, through his moving performances, he has warmly transferred such sentiments to his many admirers whose own feelings for the piece have deepened over the years.
This delicate love song, whose roots lie in forms of social behavior which existed a thousand years ago, seems to call up subliminal memories and courtly instincts of a time centuries past, whenever it is played. And most especially when sung by Travis Edmonson.
The sense of romance (with a large `r' as well as with a small) which every poetic heart yearns for is completely fulfilled in the essence of Malaguena Salerosa. The passionate love which knows no bounds, and equally, no response.
All the images Travis Edmonson manages to conjur up when he performs this evocative song …
A great gold-encrusted cathedral somewhere in Latin America … Hidden within the recesses of one of the most ornately carved oak pews is a beautiful young woman - heavily chaperoned, and barely visible in her mantilla. She is aware of the youth who hoped to catch her eye as she entered the church. But what is in her heart? No question that his is consumed by the sole desire to have her look his way, for he is sure that when she does, her eyes will tell him everything.
In the street outside a girl from a lesser station in life hopes to see the object of her affection. However, she knows that when he comes into view, she must not look up or give any indication of interest, lest her parents are alerted to a possible alliance with someone from a rival family. But when he passes, he will be desperate to provoke at least one tiny sign from her, a single glance.
Far less hopeful is the humble clerk who waits on the young lady from a prosperous family who has captured his heart. He serves her, but knows that she does not see him, only the goods he displays. Surely, if their eyes would meet only once!
Along the late night streets of the same town, a suitor waits endlessly for his beloved to come out to her balcony for a spot of night air. She is a coquette, and is determined to make him wait as long as possible, but she knows that once he begins to sing, she will be forced to linger by the seduction of his song.
In another part of town, a bride to be listens on the night air for the first notes of her fiancé's voice. She has selected a rose from the bouquet he has sent. When he has sung her favorite song, she will go out briefly to throw it down to him, before quickly and dutifully going back in. Then she will fall gently asleep to the tender notes of his singing.
Farther north … Young women gather on the sleeping porch of their college dormitory for the highlight of their evening. They arrive at the spot early, and in the stillness, can hear the shuffling in the shadows, as two young men with guitars arrive to fill the Tucson night with the strains of "Malaguena Salerosa."
Lyrics
Spanish
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Literal English
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Musical English
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Qué bonitos ojos tienes
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What lovely eyes you have
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Your eyes, they shine like precious gems.
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debajo de esas dos cejas
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Beneath your beautiful brow
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Your brow is like a crown to frame them,
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debajo de esas dos cejas
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Beneath your beautiful brow
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Sweet brow just like a crown to frame them,
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Qué bonitos ojos tienes
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What lovely eyes you have
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Your eyes, they shine like precious gems.
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Ellos me quieren mirar
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They want to gaze at me
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How they want to turn my way,
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pero si tú no los dejas
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But you won't allow them
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Yet you forbid them to meet my eyes.
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pero si tú no los dejas
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But you won't allow them
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How you forbid them to meet my eyes,
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ni siquiera parpadear
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even a single glance
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perhaps for what they might convey.
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Malagueña Salerosa
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Oh my sweet rose, I adore you.
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besar tus labios quisiera
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I desire so to kiss your lips
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For a kiss, I beg and implore you.
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besar tus labios quisiera
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I desire so to kiss your lips
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For one kiss I beg and implore you.
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Malagueña Salerosa
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Oh my sweet rose, I adore you.
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y decirte niña Hermosa
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And to declare, you are a beauty
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I want to live all my life for you.
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que eres linda y hechicera
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lovely and enchanting
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Helpless slave to your great beauty,
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que eres linda y hechicera
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lovely and enchanting
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I'd give my life to know your embrace.
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como el candor de una rosa
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as the innocence of a rose
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Let your eyes say it may now be
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como el candor de una rosa
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as the innocence of a rose
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I'll own the heart that beats with such grace.
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Si por pobre me desprecias.
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If you scorn me for my poverty
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Because I'm poor you reject me
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Yo te concedo razón,
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I accept your judgment
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.Even though I understand,
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Yo te concedo razón,
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I accept your judgment
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I dream someday you'll see the man
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Si por pobre me desprecias.
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If you scorn me for my poverty
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And not merely his poverty
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Yo no te ofrezco riquezas
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I don't offer you riches
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I have no worldly goods to share
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Te ofrezco mi corazón,
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I offer you my heart
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No gold, no land, no precious stone
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Te ofrezco mi corazón,
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I offer you my heart
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A tender heart is all I own
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A cambio de mi pobreza
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In place of my poverty
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To express to you how much I care
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Malagueña Salerosa
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Oh my sweet rose, I adore you.
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besar tus labios quisiera
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I desire so to kiss your lips
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For a kiss, I beg and implore you.
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besar tus labios quisiera
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I desire so to kiss your lips
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For one kiss I beg and implore you
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Malagueña Salerosa
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Oh my sweet rose, I adore you.
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y decirte niña Hermosa
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AAnd to declare, you are a beauty
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I must declare how lovely you are.
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y decirte niña Hermosa
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AAnd to declare, you are a beauty
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Must I love you always from afar?
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que eres linda y hechicera
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As lovely and enchanting
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You are beauty and enchantment
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como el candor de una rosa
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as the innocence of a rose
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Pure and burning just like a bright star.
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como el candor de una rosa
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as the innocence of a rose
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Pure and burning just like a bright star.
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Malagueña Salerosa
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My beloved, I do beg this
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besar tus labios quisiera
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I desire so to kiss your lips
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From your sweet mouth a single kiss
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besar tus labios quisiera
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I desire so to kiss your lips
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From your sweet mouth a single kiss
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Malagueña Salerosa
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My beloved, I do beg this
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y decirte niña Hermosa
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And to declare, you are a beauty
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I must declare how lovely you are.
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y decirte niña Hermosa
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And to declare, you are a beauty
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Must I love you always from afar?
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que eres linda y hechicera
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As lovely and enchanting
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You are beauty and enchantment
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como el candor de una rosa
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as the innocence of a rose
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Pure and burning just like a bright star.
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como el candor de una rosa
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as the innocence of a rose
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Pure and burning just like a bright star.
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ALTERNATE TRANSLATIONS
Walked by your beautiful eyes
As warm as morning sunlight
As warm as morning sunlight
Caught by your beautiful eyes
Yes they had something to say
But you just would not let them
No you just would not let them
Not even look my way
Summer rose that passed in time
To kiss your lips my one desire
To kiss your lips my one desire
And to hold your gaze in mine
Summer rose that passed in time
Blushing softly like a whisper
Blushing softly like a whisper
Love me little ... love me divine
Summer rose that passed in time
(by Allan Nielsen)
Alternate Translation 2
Those eyes are windows of your soul.
Their glow fills my world with wonder.
They have turned my life asunder,
Reflecting beauty in your soul.
I dream that you would look my way
To see the hope that burns in my eyes,
love my own could never disguise
Telling all I want to say.
My dream goddess, how my heart's lost.
For a kiss, I'd pay any cost.
For one kiss, I'd pay any cost.
My dream goddess , how my heart's lost.
You've lit my life with a burning fire.
Radiant beauty how you beguile,
So innocent with your sweet smile.
You fill my heart with tender desire.
You fill my heart with tender desire.
May a poor man adore a beauty?
Some believe it cannot be.
I know that you could love me,
And find a world completely free.
I do have something to give you.
I hand you my tender heart.
I give you my loving heart.
It is yours for all my life through.
I am bewitched by your
great beauty.
Radiant angel how you beguile,
So innocent with your sweet smile.
You are all life, and heaven to me.
You are all life, and heaven to me.
SONGS